CIMA was created in 2001 by the cities of Russellville and Auburn. The two entities entered into an interlocal agreement for the purpose of helping Auburn, which was experiencing serious problems with its wastewater treatment facility.
The main objective of CIMA in its beginning was to bring a forced main from Auburn to Russellville, aiding the smaller city by taking on its wastewater. This objective changed when Auburn's main industry significantly reduced the amount of emissions it was sending into the city's wastewater system.
"It is my recommendation to accept the municipal order because there is no longer a need for CIMA," said Councilwoman Marie Sweatt, who was one of three council members placed on a committee to see if CIMA was still needed. Other committee members included Councilwoman Pat Bell and Councilman Howard Wren. Wren fought Russellville's entering into CIMA's during its inception.
"We no longer are bringing a line from Auburn to Russellville, the tap-on ban has been lifted in Auburn and they are now back up to par. CIMA employees have done a good job, but there just isn't any need for it any longer," said Sweatt who added her concern that the entity is operating in the red financially.
"According to the KRS you can't operate in the red. I am afraid this will come back on us," said Sweatt.
Sweatt moved to accept a municipal order which called for CIMA's dissolution. Her motion was seconded by Bell and after brief discussion passed with Council member Jean Hankins voting yes. Councilmen Ken Barrett and Wren voted not to disband CIMA with Councilman Russell Jones abstaining. Jones serves as council representative on the CIMA Board and has expressed his desire for the next council to deal with the issues.
Barrett questioned who would be in charge of Russellville's systems if CIMA isn't. He also asked about job loss. Russellville Mayor Shirlee Yassney informed Barrett that the council would be in charge just as they were before CIMA. "There will be no difference," said Sweatt. "The council makes the positions and votes on them." Sweatt said that the city already had a person in the position, long-time city employee Rodney Harkleroad.
Hankins asked if the city of Russellville would be better off economically by dissolving CIMA, which Yassney quickly answered, "Yes ma'am."
At the last council meeting when the order to dissolve CIMA was introduced, Jones told of possible grants that CIMA was being considered for through the state. At Tuesday's meeting Jones said CIMA was moved down on the list for those grants and that no project in the state is receiving any money until Kentucky passes a budget.
Council candidate Jack Whipple addressed Council, asking what would happen if Auburn gets another industry. CIMA employee Wayne Thomas said Auburn's treatment facility is only taking in approximately 60,000 to 100,000 gallons of waste per day, leaving approximately a 250,000-gallons-per-day capacity. Thomas said a normal sized industry would only use around 15,000 to 30,000 gallons a day, which leaves plenty of room for growth.
Logan County Magistrate Dickie Carter spoke, saying he thought the decision was much too important to proceed so quickly. "This doesn't sound like anybody knows what they are doing. The city got into bad shape water wise before. I think this is an important decision and it affects peoples lives. I think you should get people together and talk first."
Carter asked if Auburn knew about this. Yassney said yes and that she had spoken with Auburn Mayor Dewey Roche. Roche, however, later told the News-Democrat & Leader that he did talk to Yassney but never said he was for dissolving CIMA.
"I got word that I was in favor of this and I am not," said Roche. "When I talked with Mayor Yassney I did see certain points about dissolving CIMA but never did I say I was for it. I have spent a lot of time in CIMA and I know it has been operating in the red, but we are working on that. If Russellville wants out it is their right. According to the interlocal agreement, either council can back out."
According to the municipal order all details should be worked out and concluded by Dec. 31.
Post a Comment
